Philadelphia needs more diverse leaders on its quest to become a biotech hub

Philadelphia is poised to become a leading hub for science and technology, thanks to its recent advances in cell and gene therapy. These cutting-edge treatments swap out problematic cells or genes for healthy ones, and have promise to revolutionize medical care.

For starters, the first gene therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was discovered at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and its success in treating certain types of leukemia has invigorated the field to develop additional cell and gene therapies for other previously untreatable diseases. The treatment works by removing a patient’s T cells, modifying them to fight the cancer, and then infusing them back into the body. Nearly 10 years after treatment, two early patients remain cancer-free. Recently, a team at Penn announced they had shortened the manufacturing time for these potentially curative drugs from up to two weeks to just 24 hours.

These successes have earned the city the nickname “Cellicon Valley.”

The density of research universities in Philadelphia has attracted major industry conferences; in 2019, it hosted the annual convention for BIO, the world’s largest trade association representing the biotech sector.

But the city shouldn’t expand its prominence in cell and gene therapy mindlessly, without pausing to consider who is taking part.

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In recent years, organizations in all sectors have sought to amplify their diversity and inclusion efforts. This is all important — different people offer different perspectives, which only enrich a company’s efforts. Data back this up: More diverse companies bring in more money and are more likely to capture new markets.

The rapid pace of innovation in the cell and gene therapy space can only be sustained by diversity of thought. When it comes to emerging technologies such as gene therapy, companies that hire a diverse workforce will undoubtedly achieve more.

But in the sciences, that’s easier said than done.

According to a recent survey by Bio.org and the Center for Talent Innovation, only 4% of employees in biotech companies are Black, and 5% are Hispanic/Latinx. Among executives and members of the board of directors, only 1% are either Black or Hispanic/Latinx.

How can biotech companies recruit a diverse workforce if people of color can’t see themselves as part of the industry?

“How can biotech companies recruit a diverse workforce if people of color can’t see themselves as part of the industry?”

As organizations continue to amplify their diversity and inclusion efforts, it is important for the city of Philadelphia to further invest in training and educating more people of color in STEM, while also supporting efforts for diversity in boards and senior leadership roles.

The city is well on its way. The Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective was established in August 2020 with a 10-year, $10 million fund from industry giant GlaxoSmithKline to increase diversity in STEM. The program is investing in education and after-school programs that can break down the barriers that deter people of color from scientific careers. This is a major first step.

The city of Philadelphia should also support and reward innovation through tax incentives, grants, and other kinds of support. For example, Philly could participate in the STEM PUSH Network, funded by the National Science Foundation, to create science programs for high schoolers that will help turn people of color on to science careers.

Philadelphia’s universities are also a breeding ground for the next wave of biotech entrepreneurs, scientists, physicians, and other key decision makers. To show students of color that there is a place for them in biotech, universities need to recruit more diverse science faculty and increase the visibility of successful Black stem alums, perhaps via speaking engagements. These speaking engagements can also be live-streamed by local high schools to further inspire and influence younger Black and Latinx students.

The psychosocial, economic, and intangible values of diversity are well established. Let’s bring those values to the biotech industry.

Sophia Ononye-Onyia is a molecular oncologist and founder of the Sophia Consulting Firm, a life-sciences marketing and communications consultancy. She is also the host of her firm’s Amplifying Scientific Innovation Video Podcast.